First Tee Delaware seeks signups and sponsorships

Each spring, the First Tee Delaware offers a variety of on-course programming for junior golfers. The Cape Region sessions begin in March, with choices available at Mulligan’s Pointe, Bear Trap Dunes Golf Club, American Classic Golf Club, Southern Delaware Golf Club, Rehoboth Beach Country Club, Kings Creek Country Club and Plantation Lakes Golf & Country Club.

Go to firstteedelaware.org and click on the “Register My Child” button on the main page for more details about dates, times, fees and scholarship opportunities.

The organization also scheduled its 2026 Delmarva Scramble at Rehoboth Beach Country Club for Tuesday, April 14. The tournament is a major fundraiser and playing spots usually sell out quickly.

The player entry fee of $350 covers the golf, lunch, a post-round reception, dinner, a golfer gift, and access to games and prizes. Sponsorship opportunities range from $250 to $10,000.

For more information go to FTDMS26.givesmart.com or call First Tee at 302-384-8759.

AJGA needs volunteers, sponsors

The American Junior Golf Association returns to Rehoboth Beach Country Club in 2026 with the AJGA Junior All-Star at Rehoboth Beach. The tournament rounds take place April 24-26, with a qualifier round scheduled for April 23.

Rehoboth Beach Country Club first hosted AJGA in 2024 with the AJGA Preview at Rehoboth Beach. In 2025, the organization held its Super Lychee Junior Open in Dover at Maple Dale Country Club. AGJA officials are pleased to return to Rehoboth Beach to build on the momentum from the first event.

“The AJGA could not be more thrilled to host an event in the state for a third consecutive year,” said Adam Brueggman, regional director, Northeast. “When we first brought the AJGA Preview at Rehoboth Beach to the Club in 2024, it was immediately evident how supportive not only the RBCC membership and board of directors were, but also how the entire community fully embraced the event and made it their own. 

“We’re fortunate to have a dedicated committee, led by Pat Mastrian and Rudy Blancke, along with highly committed volunteers who bring tremendous energy to support the event,” he said. “The tournament planning committee has been working hard to ensure this year’s event is a memorable and exceptional experience.”

Tournament organizers are seeking additional support from the Cape Region community. Volunteer opportunities are available throughout tournament week, including roles in scoring, player services and on-course support. Local businesses and organizations are also encouraged to explore sponsorship and partnership opportunities to support junior golf while gaining visibility during a premier AJGA event. 

Volunteer sign-ups are available at volunteersignup.org/YP9XH. For more information on the AJGA event, including sponsorship opportunities, go to ajga.org or email Brueggman at abrueggman@ajga.org in the AJGA Tournament Business Affairs Department. 

Chill AF

I love a good logo story.

Just about every year I attend the PGA Show in Orlando, Fla., I discover yet another apparel company that created a logo they decided looks great on a golf hat or polo shirt.

Most of the time they guess correctly. They find a receptive and ready market among club pros and others looking for something their customers will quickly snap up and enjoy.

In my humble opinion, the winner of the 2026 PGA Show logo contest is Chill AF – a simple stick-figure drawing of a hat-wearing guy holding a coozie-covered beer can in one hand and making a two-fingered “V” sign with the other.

I had a great chat with Keith Klopcic, a longtime successful Michigan businessman who did his first draft of the logo on a cocktail napkin – no, really, I saw it.

The full backstory is even better than the drawing. Klopcic had been diagnosed with a likely terminal kidney condition and went to a bar near his home to drink a few drinks and think a few thoughts. 

He decided there were two ways to deal with his medical predicament. He could accept his fate and fade away or attack the problem head-on, fighting all the way.

Klopcic chose to attack. He had the malignant kidney removed, survived the ordeal and decided to “be chill” for the rest of his days. 

As it says on the Chill AF website, “When you think your life is over, that’s when you learn to live.”

Klopcic sold his various businesses, and his wife Ashley left her highly successful corporate career to join him on their new journey. 

It worked. Bringing the merchandise to a Surf Expo a few years ago marked the fledgling outfit’s first steps to success. It was a very short move from the surfing world to the golf world.

“The reception here at the PGA Show has been fantastic,” Klopcic said. 

Chill AF’s logoed items include a range of hats, hoodies, T-shirts, polos, tumblers, socks, beach towels, a keychain and even a boat flag. One item, the Stick Dude insulated pocket hoodie ($80), includes a moisture-protecting internal pocket to keep your beverage cold while you stay warm.

The Stick Dude is a disarmingly simple logo with a great message. I can see this logo selling well at several stores throughout the Cape Region, and not merely the pro shops.

Good luck to them.